12 Things Arizonans Hear Every Time They Tell Someone Where They Live

Tell someone you live in Phoenix, and they’ll ask if the Grand Canyon is close.

Arizonans hear questions like that every time they mention home.

Here’s what Arizonans hear every time they tell someone where they live.

Note: This is general information, not medical advice. Guidelines are subject to change, so talk to a doctor about your situation.

1. Dry Heat Defense

Many Phoenix residents hear that it’s a dry heat as soon as summer comes up.

The National Weather Service says many heat-related deaths happen during the monsoon, when typical summertime heat meets higher humidity.

In July 2023, Phoenix hit 110 degrees or higher for a 19th straight day, topping the 18-day record set in 1974.

So when someone brings up the dry heat, you have a few facts to offer.

2. Cactus Questions

People often ask whether you have a saguaro in your yard.

Saguaros grow only in the Sonoran Desert of the U.S. and Mexico.

Freezing temperatures and altitude limit their range, so a backyard saguaro depends on how high and how cold your town gets.

Saguaros are the largest cactus in the U.S., commonly reaching 40 feet in height.

In Saguaro National Park, arms normally begin to appear at 50 to 70 years, and it can take up to 100 years in drier areas.

Arms take decades.

3. Scorpion Talk

You often hear scorpion questions next, and many people want to know if you’ve ever been stung.

The bark scorpion is the only species in Arizona of medical importance, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

If a scorpion stings you, call poison control at (800) 222-1222.

Save that number.

Arizona’s poison control centers receive around 20,000 calls a year about scorpion stings, according to University of Arizona Health Sciences.

That probably covers only a fraction of the stings.

The university’s tips include shaking out your shoes and clothes before you put them on.

4. Summer Survival

Bring up summer, and some people ask how you live through it.

Maricopa County reported 425 heat-associated deaths in 2022, with more than half in July.

In 2023, Phoenix also had a record 16 consecutive days when overnight lows never dipped below 90 degrees.

Warm nights like that make it hard to cool off after sundown.

If someone asks how you cope, the numbers are a good place to start.

5. Grand Canyon Distance

A lot of people assume the Grand Canyon is a short drive from wherever you live.

The South Rim is about a four-hour drive from Phoenix.

From Flagstaff, the drive to the South Entrance takes about 90 minutes.

The average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles.

The drive between South Rim Village and North Rim Village, however, is about 212 miles and takes about 4 1/2 hours.

If you’re picturing a quick drive from your house, plan on a road trip.

6. Daylight Saving Time Confusion

Daylight saving time confuses many people who try to schedule a call with Phoenix.

Arizona observed daylight saving time in 1967, then opted out in 1968.

Phoenix hasn’t changed its clocks since.

State law sets Arizona on standard mountain time and rejects daylight saving time, though the legislature could change that.

If you’re scheduling a call, remember that clocks in much of the country move forward in spring and Phoenix’s don’t.

7. Haboob Questions

Mention the monsoon, and a good number of people ask what a haboob is.

Haboobs are the massive dust storms that hit Phoenix and central Arizona during the summer monsoon.

The July 5, 2011, haboob was about 5,000 feet high as it neared the Phoenix area, according to the National Weather Service.

A Phoenix TV station reported that it appeared roughly 50 miles wide, and Sky Harbor International Airport closed for about an hour.

The Arizona Department of Transportation runs a “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” campaign for drivers caught near a dust storm.

Its steps include turning off your lights, even your emergency flashers, and staying in your vehicle until the storm passes.

The National Weather Service says a dust storm warning also means gusts of 40 to 60 mph are likely.

If dust is ahead of you on the road, pull off to the side.

Wait it out.

8. Retirement Town Label

Many people hear where you live and assume Phoenix is a retirement town.

Census Bureau figures put 12.2% of Phoenix residents at 65 or older and 23.6% under 18.

That's nearly twice as many residents under 18 as residents 65 and older.

The label doesn't fit Phoenix.

When someone calls it a retirement town, you can point to those figures.

9. Snow Surprise

Some people are surprised that you can ski near Flagstaff.

Arizona Snowbowl sits on the western slope of Mount Humphreys, the tallest point in the state.

The ski resort lists its average snowfall at 260 inches, with a base elevation of 9,200 feet.

Its average season runs from mid-November through early to late May.

Bring a coat.

10. Sedona Vortex

If you tell people where you live, you're often asked about the Sedona vortex.

The vortex idea began around 1980, when a psychic named Page Bryant was living in Sedona, according to Phoenix public radio station KJZZ.

An Arizona State University Cronkite School blog says she identified four sites: Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon.

The blog also reports that a geologist at the university says there's no scientific evidence for a vortex.

It puts Sedona's visitors at about three million a year, citing the city's website.

Visit and decide for yourself.

11. Sidewalk Egg Test

Tell people about a Phoenix summer, and many will ask whether you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.

NASA mapped Phoenix on June 19, 2024, a day with a 106-degree high, and found asphalt ranging from 120 to 160 degrees.

The coolest spots were near green spaces like Encanto Park, and the hottest were in Maryvale and near Sky Harbor Airport.

Surfaces that hot can cause severe burns within minutes or seconds.

Valleywise Health's Arizona Burn Center admitted 136 patients with severe burns in June through August 2023.

You'll want your kids and pets off the asphalt.

Don't test it.

12. California Comparisons

A good number of people compare your home state to California as soon as they hear where you live.

Roughly 64,000 Californians moved to Arizona each year from 2017 to 2021, based on Census Bureau five-year estimates.